Water 7 was plunged into chaos.
The news of the Beast Pirates' sudden attack on Water 7 had spread throughout the city, causing widespread panic.
Tourists fled in terror toward the train station, trying to board the Sea Train and escape Water 7 before the Beast Pirates could strike.
The local gangs of Water 7 were also in a state of panic, retreating to their hideouts.
This was the Beast Pirates, not some small-time crew.
Doflamingo might be a big name in the underworld, but the Beast Pirates' infamy shook the entire seas. Who wouldn't be afraid?
Rob Lucci walked calmly through the deserted streets, his expression as composed as ever.
The Beast Pirates' sudden attack was unexpected, even for him.
At that moment, a large group of shipwrights came running from the end of the street. The man leading them made Lucci's pupils contract slightly.
"Boss, we're not afraid of them."
Water 7 had never relied on the Marines for protection, but it wasn't without its own defenses. Some of the shipwrights were unwilling to cooperate with the Beast Pirates in their search.
"There's no need for pointless resistance."
Iceburg wasn't without his own schemes.
Water 7 currently had seven major shipyards, none of which submitted to the others.
After his teacher Tom was executed, Iceburg had planned to absorb the other six shipyards, gathering the majority of the shipbuilding technicians to use as leverage against the World Government.
The Beast Pirates' appearance presented him with an opportunity.
Iceburg's eyes sharpened as he thought this through.
If he wanted to take over the other six shipyards, the biggest obstacles were the three top shipwrights—Dokuson and the others.
He wasn't planning to eliminate them, but to bring them under his control.
As Iceburg refined his plan in his mind, he suddenly noticed a tourist walking toward him and quickly warned, "Water 7 isn't safe right now. You should leave or stay in a hotel."
"Thanks."
Lucci nodded.
Iceburg didn't bother checking if the man listened, leading his shipwrights straight to the gang's hideout.
The shipyards held more power than the gangs, but in some areas, they still fell short.
Such as finding people.
Lucci watched Iceburg and his men disappear into the distance before returning to the central street.
The atmosphere in the bar was tense.
Baby 5, a cigarette dangling from her lips, glared irritably at Blueno, who stood behind the counter wiping a glass.
Kaku and the others sat around a table, smirking at the bar.
Buffalo stood beside Baby 5 with a resigned expression, trying to keep his partner from causing trouble.
Lucci entered the bar.
"Captain."
Kaku and the others stopped smirking and stood up.
Lucci spoke calmly. "The Beast Pirates are here."
"What?!"
Baby 5 jumped up in shock.
She wasn't afraid of CP9, but an Emperor's crew was another matter.
Kaku and the others were stunned.
No one had expected that the "monster" in Water 7 would attract the Beast Pirates.
"Blueno."
Lucci turned to Blueno. "The local gangs fear the Beast Pirates more. This place isn't safe anymore. Take them to another safe house."
Blueno nodded.
No one objected, not even Baby 5.
Doflamingo was a big name in the underworld, and the gangs of Water 7 had to show him respect.
But the Beast Pirates commanded far more fear than Doflamingo.
Blueno opened an air door, and the others stepped through.
Shortly after Lucci and his team evacuated the bar, the door was kicked open. Iceburg was the first to rush in.
"I swear that man was here."
A gang underboss followed closely, quickly swearing an oath when he saw the empty bar.
He wasn't afraid of Iceburg, but he didn't want to be blamed.
Ignoring him, Iceburg walked to the table where Kaku and the others had been sitting.
Three empty glasses sat on the table.
Iceburg picked one up and sniffed it, then ordered, "They must have just left. There were at least three of them."
The gang underboss immediately declared, "I'll send men to find them."
Once outside, the underboss wiped sweat from his forehead and hunched his shoulders.
No one here could be messed with!
This was fine!
Safe House
Kaku and the others looked grim.
Baby 5 was no longer in the mood to argue with CP9.
She had already informed Doflamingo, who simply instructed her and Buffalo to keep cooperating with CP9.
An air door opened.
Lucci and Blueno stepped out.
"Captain!"
Kaku and the others stood up.
CP9 hadn't been in Water 7 long and had only set up a few safe houses.
Against the local gangs, these hideouts weren't secure.
Rather than hiding, it was better to strike first.
Lucci said coolly, "The Beast Pirates only sent a kid."
Kaku and the others grinned confidently.
Then let's fight!
Docks
"Pageeeee!"
Ulti stomped around the docks in frustration.
She had struck a deal with Iceburg.
Iceburg would find and return Page One, and in return, she wouldn't lead her crew into the city.
This annoyed Ulti, but she was more worried about her brother's safety, so she agreed.
The other pirates kept their distance from the furious Ulti.
Suddenly, a door opened in the air behind her.
"Lady Ulti!"
The pirates shouted a warning.
Ulti spun around—
But darkness filled her vision as a figure appeared out of nowhere.
"Rokushiki Secret Technique… Rokuougan!"
Ulti was sent flying, crashing through a nearby building.
"Take them out!"
Having successfully ambushed Ulti, Lucci charged after her.
Kaku and the others rushed the Beast Pirates.
"Just die already!"
Baby 5, still fuming from her earlier humiliations, transformed her hands into cannons and unleashed a barrage of explosions.
Buffalo tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "The Young Master only told us to cooperate with them, not to pick a fight with the Beast Pirates."
Baby 5 spat in annoyance but felt a little better after venting.
Against CP9's assault, the Beast Pirates, lacking their main fighters, were quickly overwhelmed.
"Damn you!"
A scream of pure rage erupted as a Pachycephalosaurus burst from the wreckage.
"An Ancient Zoan?"
Lucci's expression shifted slightly before he vanished.
He reappeared in front of Ulti.
"Die, die, die!"
Ulti's forehead hardened with Armament Haki as she headbutted Lucci.
Lucci coated his fist in Armament Haki and punched.
The shockwave sent debris flying.
The two were evenly matched.
Ulti grinned savagely, her claws gripping Lucci's shoulders.
"Die, die, die!"
She slammed her head into him repeatedly, catching him off guard.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The violent impacts echoed.
Lucci's eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.
Ulti tossed him aside in satisfaction.
As she turned to deal with Kaku and the others, a powerful blow struck her from behind.
"Guh—!"
Ulti spat blood, sent flying over a dozen meters.
Before she hit the ground, another air door opened in her path.
She vanished inside, and the door closed.
Lucci froze, then looked toward the battlefield.
Seeing Blueno finishing off the Beast Pirates, Lucci's expression darkened for the first time. He immediately pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
The call connected.
Lucci's voice was firm.
"I need reinforcements."
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